Philosophy.

At Goods for Cooks, we believe food has the power to nourish and connect.  Since 1973, we have been dedicated to creating a community gathering space designed to foster the benefits of cooking and sharing food and drink.

We believe food is everything.  It connects us to one another as we sit to share a meal.  It reminds us of who we are and where we’ve come from.  Food has a visceral impact long after our bellies have digested a meal.  We can remember a long-ago first bite, food’s aroma, or the way a good bread or soup nurtured us.  Food has the power to comfort us in our time of need, elevate us in celebration, and secure our survival.

The story of food, however, is not complete without the acknowledgment of its power over us when it is scarce.  Or the shame we feel when we do not have enough, feel helpless in the kitchen, or struggle with our personal relationship to food due to mental or physical health challenges.

Food reflects our own values and history, while also allowing us to explore the world if only in our own minds and hearts through the cuisine of others.  It permits us to walk in someone else’s shoes, experience their culture, and eat the meals their grandmothers fed them.

We believe if you want to make an impact on humanity, as daunting a goal as that may seem, it is as simple as learning to prepare food and being willing to welcome others to the table.

We invite you to stop by our little shop and share your stories; the adventurous triumphs, the failures, and everything in between.  Filled not only with the classics but an ever-changing assortment of linens, tabletop, and gourmet foods, you are sure to find something to inspire your next meal or gathering.

History.

Goods for Cooks was established as Goods, Inc. in 1973 by Charlotte Zeitlow and Marilyn Schultz on the South side of Bloomington’s downtown square. Active in local politics and passionate about serving their community, both women were equally dedicated to the art of cooking and inviting others to gather around a table.  Together they opened shop with lots of tools, baskets, and other essentials lining adjustable wood shelves from Sweden. Through the years, the shop has been located in several spots including a move to the North side of the square which allowed for the addition of a partner, Ann Bron and a kitchen to hold cooking classes.  The shop then moved to the College Mall from 1983-84, returning to the West side of the square in 1985 where it has been ever since. Charlotte and Marilyn passed the baton to the late Bob Swanson in ’89 and six years later, Bob passed the shop to Beth Hollingsworth who had a knack for spotting beautiful tableware and ceramics.  Beth stewarded the shop for another decade before selling to Andrew and Charlotte Appel.  Andrew’s training was as an engineer gave him a keen sense of quality in small appliances and knives but perhaps his biggest contribution to the shop was establishing the gourmet food side of the shop which highlights imported and artisanal foods from around the world and our local area.

Through the years, each set of owners has brought their own personality and passions to bear upon the shop, leaving a legacy of championing all things food.  This sincere love for the ability of food to nourish and connect us to ourselves, our personal history, geography, and each other is what inspired brother and sister, George Huntington and Samantha Eibling, along with her husband Doug to take the reins of the shop in 2017. 

George’s decades long experience of running the local food co-op and owning his own businesses including an organic farm, Sam’s experience in mindfulness, marketing, and working at Pryde’s Kitchen and Necessities in Kansas City, and Doug’s background in operations, fundraising, and development made taking on the stewardship of this beloved local shop feel almost serendipitous.